Exemption to Devyani from personal appearance in court proceedings in New York a "good beginning," Minister tells The Hindu

India has decided to extend the deadline for U.S. diplomats to surrender their identity cards by another three days, and views as a “good beginning” the exemption of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade from personal appearance in court proceedings in New York.

“We will give it [extension in deadline]. We are reasonable but the extension is for three days. There is no problem,” External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid told The Hindu on Monday, indicating there would be no further measures against U.S. diplomats which he described as “reciprocal.”

“Whatever we had to do we have done. It seems we were going further than what was required by reciprocity. So, we have retreated into reciprocity and that will remain,” he explained, ruling out the rolling back of the measures restricting privileges for U.S. diplomats announced last week.

After Ms. Khobragade’s arrest and strip search in New York, India decided not to extend any special privileges to U.S. embassy and consular employees, and treat them the same way as Washington treated Indian diplomats, he said.

India removed security barriers around the U.S. embassy, curbed imports, and cancelled special airport entry passes. It also asked all embassy and consular employees to turn in their diplomatic identity cards by Monday midnight in return for new ones specifying the level of privilege for each diplomat.

There has been no further public contact between the two sides towards resolving the controversy since Friday. Mr. Khurshid attributed this to the Christmas holiday season in the U.S. But he was satisfied that after full diplomatic status was conferred on the Indian diplomat following her transfer to India’s Permanent Mission to the U.N. in New York, the situation was under control.

Asked about the next high-level contact between the two sides, the Minister indicated that it would be after Christmas. “What to do? For the present, everything is in reasonable control,” he said.

The Minister did not see the incident as impacting on a relationship “that goes back in time…is a strategic partnership that cannot be allowed to get derailed. So we have to find a solution. And we must and we will.”

He felt that the controversy was basically a labour issue. “We can’t look at a situation with equanimity where a diplomat is charged with criminal offences which we are not convinced about. If there is disagreement on interpretation or application of law, basically of labour law, we can find a solution. Surely, it is not a matter of great national security or fundamental betrayal of one’s trust and faith in each other.”

Mr. Khurshid stayed out of the controversy over denial of minimum wages, pointing out that it was not an issue at all. “We respect their law. I am sure they respect ours. There is no problem with laws they make. We will follow them. But why should that lead to [the] arrest of an Indian diplomat? If there is some misunderstanding, at least from our point of view, why should it lead to an arrest? We are very puzzled about it. I expect the law of diplomatic immunity should also be respected [by the U.S.],” he observed.

India has always been oscillating between "US - Japan" and "Russia - China" axis. It is high time for India to decide a side which it can trust in long term. Which will treat India as equals. US has proven beyond doubt that it is highly untrustworthy. India should now align itself with "Russia - China". We surely know that Russia has always been a true friend to India with no preconditions for it's friendship. It has never humiliated India and India should reciprocate the same friendship to Russia. I am not saying to treat US as our enemy, but they are certainly not our friend!

from:
Manish

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 23:32 IST

Yes, and the USA embassy officials should also obey the laws we make. Homosexuality is a crime, a felony, under Indian laws. All those who are taking the sides for USA and its actions on our diplomat would support arrest of the homosexuals in the USA embassy. Talk of being just.

from:
Razee

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 15:23 IST

Reading Khurshid between the lines for the last few days, can't help but feel dizzy at the sway from false bravado to meek obedience. India's foreign policy has only itself to blame.

from:
Rajan Mahadevan

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 15:13 IST

India makes the huge problems out of small ones and ignores the real problems - she lied and broke the law - they should apologize for her conduct rather than make huge 'shows' for pride over things like this - while half their people live in abject slavery and poverty - the more I read about their reactions the sillier they look

from:
melanie

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 14:27 IST

"There is no problem with laws they make. We will follow them."
The problem is she did NOT follow the laws and got arrested!

from:
Chandran

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 14:27 IST

Mr. Kurshid thinks that it is same as indian law, where exemption from appearing court means 3/4 battle won. In US it has nothing and no meaning. All it gives you is some comfort. If your lawyer is useless or there is compelling evidence against you, then you will go to jail straight from your home. No need to come to court. Mr. Kurushid should open his eyes.

from:
Honga Singh

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 08:18 IST

What an extraordinary piece of theatre. An Indian diplomat falls foul of the laws of the USA, the story of the domestic of Indian origin hardly gets any official mention and Mr Khurshid and co. treat this incident as if it were a case of saving India's wounded pride. Let us keep this in perspective - the USA did not invade India. Mr Khurshid has unfortunately communicated a message that suggests that the Indian government's pursuit of justice for the rich and powerful is different from its pursuit of justice for its poor. I think the country is ready for the Aam Aadmi Party....

from:
pradip thomas

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 07:52 IST

How sad, another missed opportunity. Preet Bharara is being made out to be a villain and not a single Indian official /Politician is being brave enough to own up to what Devyani did or did not do. The real question here is the gross incompetence and arrogance of the Indian Bureaucracy. Once again you have failed to match up to international standards and play the blame game. You are party to the crime for even failing to understand which treaty grants what protection.

Be brave and take this opportunity to fix this problem, not hide behind it. On the international stage there are no reservations, only competence, wisdom and grit.

from:
Bawa

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 07:08 IST

The external ministerâs first and foremost job is to care for its overseas citizens not "only" its officers. Neither the Indian government not a single politician concerned about the maid who is the real victim. Guys please think about the poor first.

from:
reddy

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 05:42 IST

What Ms. Khobragade is alleged to have done is deplorable or deniable (depending upon one's point of view). But the response of Indian MEA is despicable. Help the woman by all means, but do it honorably! Namely, help her fight the charges in the US court, for instance, by hiring a capable attorney to defend her skillfully. Further, help her sue the US Marshals for breach of the Vienna convention and ask for prohibitive damages. But don't help her hide away like a cowardly fugitive. Perhaps the MEA is already convinced of her guilt. That's what it looks like.

from:
Sree Srinivasan

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 03:42 IST

why cant the govt stand firm on its decisions? why be so lenient after creating such furor.. you are tearing apart the confidence of our citizens on the world stage.This very crass and "chalta hai" attitude is the reason why India is taken for granted. I hope this country get Modi-fied soon!

from:
keerthiv

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 03:37 IST

Reciprocity is all right, but I strongly agree with the views of Diplomat Mr. Prabhu Dayal, India should sincerely consider closure of all Indian consulate offices in US. Their Laws are theirs, but it cannot be used for blackmail and extortion of our Consulate Official, nor can be used for our citizens turning traitors, in the hand of US Attorneys using them for their ulterior Professional motifs?

from:
ANURUP BANERJEE

Posted on: Dec 24, 2013 at 03:07 IST

I am really sorry to learn this. Indian government is putting all its efforts to save its deputy consular, who was actually on the wrong side of the law, at the cost of straining Indo-US relations. While it chose to ignore when the same treatment was meted out to our ex-President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who in contrast had done so much for the nation. I am also sorry to learn about this because, I have no faith left in the Indian judicial system to take any action against Devyani Khobragade for her alleged falsification of documents related to her Adarsh flat application. What a sorry state of affairs! Once again, and as always in India, justice will be denied.